Chinese electric bus maker BYD has been awarded its first order from Transportes Metropolitanos de Barcelona, S. A. (TMB) for 25 new generation 40-foot BYD electric buses. The pure-electric buses will operate in the City of Barcelona for the first time.
TMB’s Strategic Plan 2025 calls for phasing out diesel fuel vehicles to reduce air pollution in Barcelona. TMB previously conducted a test of a BYD electric bus in 2020, resulting in positive feedback. The adoption of clean energy vehicles in TMB’s fleet will see new buses put into service in Catalonia between 2022 and 2024.
All the zero-emission BYD electric buses will be equipped to allow for the convenience of opportunity charging at the bus depot for greater operational efficiency.
The buses will be built in BYD’s high-tech European production facility in Hungary, which opened in 2017 to support the expanding customer base in Europe
Built to BYD’s latest specification, the award-winning 40-foot buses will have a range of innovative new features to enhance vehicle performance, as well as improving passenger and driver comfort. The buses will have BYD’s unique ‘6 in 1’ control system which integrates all the vehicle’s principle electronic components, including the battery, motor and motor controller. The system will improve reliability and lower cost of ownership.
BYD buses utilize the latest generation BYD Iron-Phosphate Battery Technology. The 442 kWh battery, with its increased energy density, provides a longer driving range and an extended battery life. A single charge delivers an impressive range of 250 miles. This is a primary reason why BYD buses are such a viable choice for many large public transport operators, such as TMB.
The buses will come equipped with FleetLink connectivity, BYD’s fleet management tool. FleetLink provides all the management tools to monitor performance parameters across the entire BYD bus fleet, complete with real-time vehicle status visibility.
Bus passengers in Barcelona can also look forward to experiencing BYD’s award winning ‘Home from Home’ concept, where design, materials and the latest cutting-edge technology come together to offer an exceptional level of comfort, safety and practicality.
The first of BYD’s buses on order from TMB are scheduled for delivery in 2022.
